Did you wake up today with a sore throat? Sore throats can be caused by a variety of different factors from bacterial and viral infections to environmental factors like allergens. Although sore throats can be a mild symptom of a cold, sore throats can also indicate more serious illnesses like strep throat. Learn when to seek medical care for your sore throat, and visit AFC Urgent Care Aurora City Center for strep throat diagnosis and treatment near Aurora, CO.
Causes & Symptoms of Strep Throat
Strep throat is a bacterial infection that causes the throat to become irritated and swollen. In the early stages, strep throat may present with mild symptoms which could be confused for a mild illness like a cold. Strep throat, however, is caused by a bacterial infection, not a viral infection. Because of this, strep throat requires a medical diagnosis and treatment by a medical professional.
Strep throat can be difficult to diagnose on your own. Tell tale signs that you have strep throat include:
- Sudden onset sore throat
- Headache
- Fever
- Pain while swallowing
- Swollen or painful lymph nodes
- Swollen tonsils
- Tonsils with white spots
- Tiny red dots on the roof of the mouth
Rapid Strep Throat Diagnosis Near Aurora, CO
Strep throat is highly contagious. It can spread through direct and indirect contact with an infected person. This usually means that strep throat cases tend to spike around back to school time and the winter season when kids spend close contact with each other. Strep throat can affect anyone, but it is most common in children who attend school because it spreads so easily.
Diagnosing strep throat has to be done with diagnostic testing performed by a medical professional. Your medical provider will evaluate your symptoms by examining your neck and throat. They will ask whether there are any additional symptoms accompanying your sore throat. Using a swab of your throat, they will test for the bacteria that causes strep throat.
Strep Throat Treatment Options in Aurora, CO
Seeking diagnosis and treatment for mild strep-like symptoms will ensure that you start treatment as soon as possible. Treatment for strep throat usually requires a round of prescription antibiotics. Without treatment, your symptoms will continue to progress and cause pain and discomfort. Seeking medical treatment early will help prevent your symptoms from worsening.
If you think you may have strep throat, it is important to self isolate. The bacteria that causes strep throat is highly contagious, meaning that you can spread your illness easily to others. In most cases, strep throat is no longer contagious after 24 hours of taking antibiotics prescribed by your medical provider. Over the counter medications such as throat numbing spray may help temporarily alleviate discomfort, however, always speak with your medical provider about the correct dosage for you.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Aurora City Center for Same-Day Strep Throat Care in Aurora, CO
If you’re experiencing strep throat symptoms, it is important to seek medical care for a diagnosis and treatment. At AFC Urgent Care Aurora City Center, our clinic offers same-day illness diagnosis and treatment without the need to schedule an appointment in advance. Simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for you, or pre-register your visit online.
Our medical providers are board-certified and trained to diagnose and treat a wide variety of common illnesses, including strep throat. We maintain short wait times and have a laboratory on-site, allowing us to provide fast and reliable care for the whole family. We also accept most medical insurance plans and offer affordable care options. For additional information, contact the clinic directly by calling (303) 529-1100.
